Speaking to URN (Uganda Radio Network) on the sidelines, Kakumba reiterated that, while AI offers numerous advantages, it poses a substantial threat to creativity, especially among Uganda's youthful demographic, which comprises a significant portion of the nation's population.
Makerere
University Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Academics, Professor Umar
Kakumba, has warned young people, particularly students, to exercise caution in
their use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to prevent the potential erosion of
creativity. He made the plea while addressing a gathering at Yusuf Lule
Teaching facility during the first day of the 6th edition of the Kampala
Geopolitics Conference.
Makerere
University is hosting the two-day event, which brings together scholars,
international researchers, and experts, as well as a diverse audience, including
students, academia, civil society representatives, media, political
decision-makers, and members of the diplomatic community. The conference aims
to discuss current geopolitical questions and trends.
The
conference's discussions will encompass various challenges, such as
representation in the tech sector, gender disparities in tech education, and
the need to improve safety and access to technology, all of which are critical
for economic growth and job creation.
During
his address, Kakumba referenced research that suggests the rapidly expanding
network of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance human
effectiveness. However, he also issued a warning that it simultaneously poses a
threat to human capabilities by fostering an overreliance on AI for most tasks,
which could ultimately stifle individual creativity.
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Speaking
to URN (Uganda Radio Network) on the sidelines, Kakumba reiterated that, while
AI offers numerous advantages, it poses a substantial threat to creativity,
especially among Uganda's youthful demographic, which comprises a significant
portion of the nation's population. He highlighted the growing trend of
students relying on AI, including tools like 'ChatGpt,' for research and
coursework, often bypassing traditional library-based research methods.
Luganda
Audio
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out: nembulagako ekintu,"//
Dr.
Paulina Chiwangu, the UN Women's Country representative, emphasized that while
digital innovations offer numerous opportunities, Uganda faces a significant
challenge, with only a small fraction (23%) of its population able to access
these opportunities due to the existing digital divide. She stressed the need
for urgent measures to address this issue and narrow the digital gap.
Chiwangu
stated, "Globally, digital innovations are creating unprecedented
opportunities for access to information and economic growth. In 2020, mobile
broadband networks reached 75% of the population, but only 23% had access to
mobile internet. This digital inequality disproportionately affects the poor,
women, rural populations, the elderly, and persons with disabilities." She
further advocated for investments in digital education and infrastructure,
digital literacy promotion, and widespread digital success.
Chiwangu
also noted that Uganda faces both challenges and opportunities due to its young
population. She emphasized the responsibility of leaders to create responsive
policies that can harness the potential of the youth population. Eric Touzé, Director of Alliance Française Kampala, called for
periodic discussions about global peace, highlighting that non-peaceful
environments, such as wars, have far-reaching effects on other countries.
He
mentioned ongoing conflicts, such as those between Russia and Ukraine and
Israel and Palestine, and how they impact Africa both economically and
diplomatically.
Touzé advised East African states to make informed decisions in
their discussions regarding Somalia, drawing a parallel to Europe and America's
discussions about Afghanistan, which, in his view, led to unfavorable outcomes.
Fahad Muganga
Freelancer
Baker Batte